KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Travelling – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”I have an appreciation for both, so it wouldn’t matter to me what we started with,” Caden said truthfully.

Nero hopped out of Caden’s lap and started looking around. Caden stood and went to the kitchen the plane had, and pulled out a bottle of champagne. He popped the cork safely before pouring two flutes for him and Nero.

”No. This is a private jet, so I own this plane and only I or people I okay can use the plane. Most planes are far larger to hold hundreds of people. But they don’t like like this. Let me see your phone. I can find a picture so you can see,” Caden said.

He offered Nero a champagne flute in exchange for their phone.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Emporium Arcade and Bar – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery grinned loppsidedly and got off his bike. ”How so?” he asked. Avery pulled out a bag and pulled off his leather jacket to slip it inside, and waited for Kimiko’s leathers, so he could do the same.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s New Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”It was fun looking. And don’t thank me yet. I’m going to be filling your place with plants. You might regret letting me help,” she joked. Once the trolly was filled, she wheeled it up the ramp and into the waiting elevator.

It was a quick ride up to Nic and Rem’s floor, an added perk to having a newer, well maintained building. Inside the apartment Nic would find that most of his large furniture had already been moved in. Ren had helped to organize most of how he and Nic wanted it, but Cassi was sure things would still move around once it was all inside.

For now, Cassi and the other’s were stacking boxes against one of the walls.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Travelling – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”There are several books, but if we just want to read the basics there is ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of The Rings’ trilogy. Then there are some companion books and other stories to read,” Caden explained. ”So, we could start with ‘The Hobbit’ or the trilogy.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving —> Emporium Arcade and Bar – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery waited for Kimiko to get off the bike before he shut the bike off and parked it. He took off his helmet, grinning. He rested his fingers under her chin, pulling Kimiko in. ”The next date we go on, we’ll take a car. Thank you, for trying again for me,” he said and kissed Kimiko.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving —> Nic’s New Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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It may have been in a teasing tone, but the deep tone of Nic’s voice sent Cassi’s stomach tumbling over. She laughed both from Nic’s dramatics as well as embarrassment.

Nic and Ren’s new apartment building came into view and they stopped outside it. ”My apologies, dear. Of course you are needed,” Cassi said and kissed Nic’s cheek before getting out of the SUV.

She slipped her phone into her back pocket once she was out, and headed over to the van to grab the trolly they had and start loading it with boxes.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Travelling – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Within seconds of Caden’s suggestion, Nero is in their lap, and he can’t help but laugh. If Caden was being honest, he was glad Nero needed his touch as much as Caden needed theirs.

Caden rested a hand on Nero’s thigh and nuzzled their neck. ”That will take some time, but we can read a book and then watch the corresponding movie,” Caden suggested.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery squeezed Kimiko’s hands before he let them go. He leaned forward on the bike a bit and slowly accelerated the bike, so he was going with the flow of traffic. He moved around slower vehicles, but kept the bike as smooth as possible until Avery was able to leave the freeway and slow down to drive through the streets of Chicago.

In fact, Avery turned off the freeway sooner than he needed to, but it was to give Kimiko a break. He was certain her arms were tired from squeezing him so tightly.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassi scoffs and takes the phone back to examine the design again. ”We were all happy to do it, Nic. It’s not like we needed you at all really. Ren has a key, and so do I,” she teased and winked.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Travelling – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden laughed and nodded in agreement. ”I find myself agreeing. Avery has a particular aversion to them,” he noted. Caden shifted in his seat and crossed his arms, resting them on the table. He glanced out the window once more before smiling at Nero when the seatbelt sign turned off.

”Well, we don’t have to watch a movie. I have all sorts of books in the back. I have most of my fictional reads on the plane like Shakespeare, Poe, Wallace, and Tolkien,” Caden said, listening a few of the authors he had on display.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery hasn’t even started the bike and already Kimiko holds onto him tightly. He chuckled, patting her hands before he turned the bike on. He revved the engine a couple of times to get it warm before he pulls out of the garage and onto Caden’s driveway. He goes at a slower speed, letting the bike warm and Kiki adjust before he gets on the main road and drives a bit faster; however, he stays under the speed limit for Kimiko’s sake.

As much as he wants to tease his girlfriend, Avery wants Kimiko to enjoy her time on the bike with him, and not be afraid. When he gets on the freeway, Avery takes one of his hands off the handlebars and holds Kimiko’s hands as they squeeze into his stomach.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Old Apartment —> Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia buckled her seatbelt and looked at Nic curiously before looking at his phone. She gasped, taking the phone out of his hands and stared at the photo. She zoomed in and out several times.

”Nic...It’s perfect!” Cassi declared. ”Ren, have you seen this?” She reached across Nic and handed him the phone.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Travelling – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden grins and shakes his head. ”I don’t really have a favourite film, but I do enjoy cinema from all over. Do you have a favourite film?” Caden asked curiously.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery grinned, pleased that she seemd to like the idea. He thought a fun activity would make for an excellent first date. They could relax and share a meal and some drinks, or play games. The pair were rather competitive and fond of teasing each other. Avery thought it would be the perfect place. His grin remained even when Kiki asked him not to go over the speed limit.

”But that’s the only way you’ll hold me close,” Avery said with a wink and put his helmet on.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Old Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassi looked at Nic and laughed, just imagining him trying to chart or look in on patients but being stopped by everyone he works with. They obviously missed him, and Cass was glad he had been welcomed back so openly.

”Tom and Jason are going to sit in the front. You, I, and Ren can sit in the back,” Cassiopeia told Nic before they all piled into the SUV.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Airstrip —> Travelling – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden waited to answer Nero when the plane increases in speed, until it lifts off from the ground and ascends. ”Are you feeling okay? Sometimes the ears will pop or take a while too with the elevation changes,” Caden explained while watching Nero for any signs of distress.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Mmm, you would know simply because of the name, but that’s okay,” Avery said with a smile, watching Kimiko dress. She looked amazing in leather. ”We’re going to Emporium Arcade. It’s a bar as well, so we can have something to eat and drink while we play games. They have all sorts of games. I think it’ll be fun for us,” Avery stated, and handed Kimiko a helmet once she was ready.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Old Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia kissed Nic again, a smile on her face as she does so. ”I owe them a nice fancy meal, but it was worth it just to see the look on your face. Now come on, we should get going so we can finish at a decent time tonight,” Cassi said and walked to the SUV. Two people could get into the van, but the other five would travel in the SUV.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Airstrip – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden grinned, remaining relaxed in his seat while Nero tried to guess where they were going. ”Many places.” Caden had purposely dressed plain to keep Nero in the dark. ”Why don’t you just enjoy the flight with me? Once the plane is in the air, we can go sit in the lounge area and drink champagne. Or watch a movie if you want,” Caden said.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”You’ve been here for nearly two weeks now, and the house is always full. Are you telling me you still aren’t used to that?” Avery led Kimiko from the house and to the garage where the bike is waiting for them. He released Kimiko’s hand to pull on his leather jacket.

”Do you want me to tell you or do you want to be surprised?” Avery didn’t mind either way. It just wanted everything to go right on this date.

It had been a long week watching Kimiko heal and get back into training and the gym. It had been a lot of late nights as well, worried she was going to have a nightmare or run off on him. Tonight would be the first night they could be a normal couple. Avery just wanted it to go well.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Old Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia grins proudly at Nic’s reaction. ”It was a team effort,” she assured him. She wasn’t expecting him to pick her up and spin her around.

Cass laughs and clings to Nic, so she doesn’t slip out of his arms even though he is holding on pretty tightly. As usual, she blushes when Nic kisses her in front of everyone.

”I wanted you and your dad to have Sunday to relax. We have one more load to do for your place tonight, then we can move your dad tomorrow. His place is already packed as well.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Airstrip – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”I don’t need it right now,” Caden said. The plane started to roll forward then and Caden looked out the window. ”We’ll be in the air for about two hours before we land. The sun will be setting then, and it’ll give you a good view of where we are going. Maybe you’ll figure it out when you see the place from the air,” Caden said, turning his head to grin at Nero.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Yes, that would be sad. But then you would be deprived of seeing me in leather again,” Avery said with a wink.

He waited for Kimiko to grab her things before he took her hand and walked with her to the front door. ”It’s weird not having everyone here,” he mumbled while they walked. The house wasn’t always busy, but there was always someone wandering around.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Old Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia sent Nic a winking emoji that moved before she slipped her phone away again. They finished packing the van just as Nic got home. Cassi stood by the SUV, grinning. ”Just in time for us to drive over to the new place,” she said and handed Nic a bottle of water.

Before Nic went back to work, he had nursed Cassiopeia back to health, and had been as attentative as ever. Cassi adored the attention, but she was also grateful when Nic went back to work because it gave her time to remake her own space, and establish a routine. Now that she was fully healed, and things had gotten back to normal, she could repay the favour of Nic looking after her so well by providing for him.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Airstrip – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden grinned and walked around his chair and sat in the seat across from Nero. ”Nope. But you’ll love it,” Caden assured them. He pulled out his phone and shut it off before tucking it into his travel bag. Caden rested his ankle over his knee, and watched Nero. Thoroughly enjoying their joy as well as their anxiety at not knowing what Caden had planned for them for the weekend.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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An immediate grin filled Avery’s face when Kimiko opened the door. He laughed at her and shook his head. ”Trying to get out of riding a motorcycle that badly, hmm? You can stay and go to the pool party if you want and I can treat myself to date night,” he teased her back.

Since Avery told Kimiko about the mating bond and that his wolf had connected with her, the teasing hadn’t stopped. Avery was glad because he was worried things would shift or Kiki wouldn’t take kindly to the teasing, but she was just as witty as he was, and could match him blow for blow. Sometimes she even stunned him enough that he had no comeback. It was refreshing, and one of Avery’s favourite things about the relationship so far.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic's Old Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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They had just got the couch into place when Cassi’s phone buzzed in her back pocket. She slipped the phone out of her shorts, and read Nic’s message.

See you soon <3

”Nic’s on his way,” she informed the others before heading back up the stairs to get the side tables and some more boxes. Nic’s house was nearly emptied. Tomorrow they would have all day to tackle Ren’s.

It was one of the reasons Cassiopeia had contacted everyone to come earlier than the originally scheduled time. She wanted to give Nic and Ren plenty of time to get settled, so she thought if they could get Nic moved in one day and Ren the next, that would leave Sunday for them to unpack, organize, and settle in.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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One Week Later

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Caden

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Location: Airstrip – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden walked back from the front of the jet and leaned on the top of one of the leather chairs. ”We’ll be leaving in about 15 minutes,” he informed Nero.

The last week had been relatively quiet for Caden and his family. Charles had come out with his mate Anna to talk with Levi and the other wolves. The information he received from Kimiko’s story, as well as the bruising on her body, was enough to anger one of the oldest living werewolves. It was a fairly easy assessment from there.

Caden was glad the Chicago werewolf pack wouldn’t be darkening his doorstep. Now the area was free of wolves and Bran was fine to leave it that way for now as long as Caden and Avery protected the state.

Avery had turned down the idea of being an alpha and starting his own pack. He didn’t want to be tied down to anything, and with the start of a new relationship, Caden didn’t blame him.

Researching into Mundus had hit a bit of dead end, and Caden proposed the idea of a break. So here he was, leaning on a chair in his private jet with Nero, ready to whisk them away for the weekend. Caden struggled to keep the location of where they were going from them, but so far he had managed it.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery parked the SUV in the garage and locked it before he made his way into Caden’s house. He had just dropped Nero and Caden off at the airport.

It would be the first time Avery had the place to himself. Caden had dismissed his entire staff for the weekend, telling them they all deserved some R'n'R after the werewolf incident. Everyone was thrilled. Some people decided to go away, go on shopping trips, or just stay in and binge watch the latest TV shows.

Avery heard a splash from someone jumping in the pool, followed by laughter and the sound of music starting. Those who didn’t have houses off Caden’s property, or went away for the weekend, had decided to have a pool party. Avery and Kimiko were both invited, but Kimiko was finally healed up, so Avery was taking her on a date. Their first date. And he was completely nervous.

He planned something fun for them to do, as well as supper, but Avery was rusty when it came to dating these days.

Avery walked into Caden’s house and made his way to Kimiko’s room to see if she was ready to brave the motorcycle again. He stopped outside her room and knocked on her door before shaking out the nerves.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic's Old House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia jogged down the stairs with a box in her hands to add to the moving van. All week she had been helping Nic pack up his apartment, and Ren pack up his house. She had managed to help them get rid of a lot of things, but moving two households into one was no easy task. Thankfully, they had a whole little moving team.

Kat, Jane, Cassi, and a couple of Caden’s staff were moving everything down into the van while Ren sort of organized and directed where things should go. They had already taken one load to the new house, and were almost done filling the moving van up with a second load. Caden offered to get Nic something bigger with movers but there was something fun about doing it yourself.

”I think we could get the couch in here now,” Cassi said to Jane. Cassi stopped to fix her messy bun and pulled the scrunchie tighter to avoid her hair getting loose again.